By Kirk Petersen By the time of the closing gavel, nearly three dozen people at the 80th General Convention in Baltimore had tested positive for COVID. But a consulting epidemiologist said it would have been a lot worse if the convention had not taken extensive precautions. Dr. Rodney Coldren was a soothing presence throughout the convention, providing both houses with … [Read more...] about COVID Caution Kept Infections at 34
Archives for July 11, 2022
6 Pentecost, Year C: The Better Part
SUNDAY’S READINGS | July 17, 2022 Amos 8:1-12 or Gen. 18:1-10a Ps. 52 or Ps. 15 Col. 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 There are two spiritual ways corresponding to two different dispositions and, perhaps, different callings: the way of action and the way of contemplation. In the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary, Martha busied herself with the customary duties of … [Read more...] about 6 Pentecost, Year C: The Better Part
President-elect: ‘Look at the Violets in our Church’
By Neva Rae Fox House of Deputies President-elect Julia Ayala Harris wasted no time in challenging General Convention on the morning of its final legislative day: “Our time is now to shape the good news with the multicultural, multiethnic, intersectional generation that is burnt out and dismayed.” “What Jesus is challenging us to do is look at our faith norms, systems, … [Read more...] about President-elect: ‘Look at the Violets in our Church’
Budget Approved, Process Simplified
By Kirk Petersen The 80th General Convention passed, as it always must, a budget for the operations of the Episcopal Church. More importantly, or at least more enduringly, it streamlined all future budget development by eliminating an entire layer of bureaucracy from the process. The convention voted to disband the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance, … [Read more...] about Budget Approved, Process Simplified
Communion Partners Seek Clarity on Prayer Book
By Mark Michael On a divided vote on General Convention’s final day, the House of Bishops approved an amended form of Article X, which defines the Book of Common Prayer in the Episcopal Church’s Constitution. The vote, which was required by the need for a technical fix of the resolution, came after several Communion Partner bishops registered significant concern about an … [Read more...] about Communion Partners Seek Clarity on Prayer Book
Choosing Life Together After Dobbs
Bishops: ‘Political, From a Faithful Point of View’
By Mark Michael The House of Bishops rejected a resolution that “denounced many crisis pregnancy centers” on General Convention’s third day, responding partly to discussions on the floor about the danger of poorly nuanced statements about hot-button issues in a deeply divided nation. Several bishops also protested the decision to place more than 400 resolutions on the agenda … [Read more...] about Bishops: ‘Political, From a Faithful Point of View’
Indigenous Priest Elected Vice President of Deputies
By Kirk Petersen The House of Deputies elected the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton of the Diocese of Olympia on July 10 to serve as vice president for the shortened triennium, or biennium, that runs through the 2024 General Convention. With the election of Julia Ayala Harris of the Diocese of Oklahoma as president the prior day, the top two officers of the house will be a … [Read more...] about Indigenous Priest Elected Vice President of Deputies